Electrocatalyst experiment equipment

[sgbaird]

Suppliers:

sigma vwr fisher McMaster-Carr grainger

[programlich]

Prio 1

• [ ] 1 Pack of 2 hole stoppers size 6.5, 470104-471
• [ ] 4 Erlenmeyer wide neck flasks
• [ ] 2 Lab stands
• [ ] 7 Boss heads
• [ ] 4 Support clamps powder coated
• [ ] 1 Plastic Tray
• [ ] 500g Potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate
• [ ] 2kg Potassium Hydroxide
• [ ] 1 3-way Stopcock Z286478-1EA

Prio 2

• [ ] Labelling tape
• [ ] Set of Hex Keys
• [ ] Set of clamps
• [ ] Wire Cutter

Not to be ordered yet (waiting for other parts)

• [ ] 1 x gas inlet tube
• [ ] 1 x condensor
• [ ] 1 x condensor adapter

[sgbaird]

Could you identify a bluetooth label printer that seems nice? Probably something with a phone app would be ideal.

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=label+printer+bluetooth&crid=2R1JGTUI5XO0D&sprefix=label+printer+bluetooth%2Caps%2C99&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

EDIT:

I considered something that could be used with a Pico W, but this seems rather involved. Using with a Pi Zero 2 W or similar with a USB or RS232 printer compatible with python-escpos seems pretty reasonable. Based on https://www.reddit.com/r/IOT/comments/1cdj77v/which_label_printer_offers_the_best_api/, a Brother QL printer might be the most straightforward option. There is an example of sending a print via a Raspberry Pi 4. See also https://github.com/pklaus/brother_ql and https://github.com/pklaus/brother_ql_web.

EDIT: Just ordered a QL810WC

EDIT: See corresponding GitHub issue

[sgbaird]

@programlich would these work?

1. Jack: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08K7HQMPT
2. Lab stand: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08SLYBRPB
3. Bosshead clamp holder: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07R9KGCXX (see picture of it being used)
4. 3 prong clamp: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07XG77YVG

If you think it would be better to stick to sigma and avantor, that's fine too.

[sgbaird]

@programlich do you still need the three-way stopcock and hole stoppers?

[sgbaird]

@programlich next time you're at AC offices it would be great if you could take the PPE and such to NRC (currently on desk with microscopes)

[programlich]

sure, will do that

[sgbaird]

The cell arrived!

I think I sent it to UoT so we could take it to the chemstore and be able to check things directly. In retrospect, not sure if that was the best plan.

Still need to get the chemicals.

[programlich]

Great! So as soon as the chemicals are here the electrochemical part can start.

And yeah, if we had known how fast we (probably) could 3D print our own setup we could have avoided ordering the cell at all. I think that´s most likely a good lesson learned for the future participants of the training labs

[sgbaird]

The linear actuator with position feedback and control board arrived. This may help provide some flexibility with the automation of sample interchange.

[sgbaird]

Packing list

[sgbaird]

[sgbaird]

Cubes printed

[sgbaird]

McMaster parts should have arrived (o rings and wire). There are some hex nuts in there that are for a separate project. You can leave those in the room with the 3D printer on top of the opentrons cardboard box. You can open the McMaster package if it's unopened.

[programlich]

Yep, I got the parts yesterday. The wires and the o rings in different sizes have arrived safely. But I am wondering, if the largest size o rings are really of the correct size. They seem to be rather small to me. Are they meant to be heavily stretched to fit into the lid of the cell?

[sgbaird]

Could you raise this point and tag Bojan in the other issue? I think that an o ring for the lid may not have been factored into the design.

[sgbaird]

Eventually let's consolidate a shopping list / bill of materials / tools list for the full setup, along with setup instructions.

[sgbaird]

Got a notification that the McMaster o rings were delivered (two of the large kind and an extra of each of the small kind).

[programlich]

Bill of materials for setting up a 3 electrode setup experiment

Materials

Bill of materials for setting up a 3 electrode setup experiment

• Custom print cell, tap and sample holder
• Sealings: o ring for sample holder, washer for sample holder, o ring for tap, o ring for thermocouple, o ring for counter electrode
• Electrical contact: stainless steel wire, better: Platinum wire
• Thermocouple connected to Potentiostat: Cell designed for Bola Temperature Probes K
• Reference electrode: Gaskatel RHE
• Counter electrode: Platinum wire
• Sample: Practically anything cut down to 3.4 x 1 cm. E.g. Ni mesh
• Electrolyte: For alkaline electrolysis KOH solution. Concentration can be 1M (best for educational purposes) or 7.6M (concentration of real world electrolysers but extremely basic, so it needs to be handled VERY carefully)
• Temperature control: Some kind of thermostat which heats and pumps a liquid. Liquid can be water or thermal oil
• DI water for mixing the KOH solution
• Condensor
• Water supply (for cooler and flushing of the cell)
• Inert gas (best N2, Ar also fine)
• Tubes to connect the gas to the cell
• Tubes to connect water to condensor
• Tubes to connect water to cell (washing nozzle)
• Peristaltic pumps to pump fresh electrolyte into the cell
• Peristaltic pump to remove electrolyte/water from the cell
• Valves to control the flow of water/electrolyte (in and out)
• Microcontroller to communicate with pumps and valves
• Orchestrator
• Potentiostat

Safety

• Safety goggles
• Face shield
• Nitrile gloves

Tools

• Form 3L (Form 4L preferred), Form Wash L, Form Cure L
• Clear v4 resin (Clear v4.1 or (Clear v5 printed on a Form 4) preferred)
• IPA or TPM (to fill Form Wash L)
• IPA (for post-rinse)
• Nitrile gloves
• Flush cutters (for support removal)
• ...

To be continued...